Front of a row of units

ABSTRACT

A front of a row of units comprising at least two grooves, the grooves being formed in particular as grip strips (or in particular as design joints), the row of units comprising adjacently arranged modules, grooves of horizontally adjacent panels in a first position of the front being arranged in succession substantially without misalignment and forming a horizontally extending channel, characterized in that these grooves assume, in a second position of the front, a vertical misalignment in the orientation with respect to each other, the front comprising at least one closure means, and at least one of the grooves being closed by the closure means with respect to the subsequent adjacent groove on a free end.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2014/000053 filed Jan. 13, 2014, which designated the United States, and claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(a)-(d) of German Application No. 20 2013 100 137.6 filed Jan. 11, 2013, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a front of a row of units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 of DE 71 35 927 U presents a front of a row of units that comprises at least two grooves, the grooves being formed, in particular, as grip strips, the row of units comprising adjacently arranged modules, each module comprising a body and at least one panel, the panels forming the front and comprising the grooves, and grooves of horizontally adjacent panels in a first position of the front being arranged in succession substantially without misalignment and forming a horizontally extending channel. If a front of this type in a row of units is used with modules that can be displaced vertically relative to one another, this poses a considerable injury risk to the user in that a finger held in the first position in a transition region of two adjacent grooves will be pinched and, in particular, is subjected to a shear load when one of the modules associated with the grooves is moved vertically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to propose a front which is suitable for use in a row of units formed by modules that can be displaced vertically relative to one another and by means of which a risk of injury in the region of the grooves is avoided, without having to depart from the design principle of a front integration of the grooves.

With the front of a row of units according to the invention the grooves assume, in a second position of the front provided by means of a vertical displacement of a module of the row of units in the orientation with respect to each other, a vertical misalignment, by means of which the horizontally running channel is interrupted at least in part, the front comprising at least one closure means, and at least one of the grooves being closed by the closure means with respect to the subsequent adjacent groove on a free end, in such a way that the channel cannot continue into the adjacent groove. It is, therefore, impossible for a user, either accidentally or deliberately, to hold a finger in a region in which adjacent grooves transition into one another. The risk of an injury to the finger is thus reliably avoided by a minimal constructional effort. The core of the invention is therefore to block the region of the channel, which is the region posing the risk.

In accordance with a first variant of the present invention, the closure means is formed as a plate and in particular is to be held in the groove with a form fit and/or in particular a frictional fit. It is thus possible with minimal outlay to make fronts formed in accordance with the old principle accident-proof.

In accordance with a second variant of the present invention the closure means is formed in one piece with the groove. In an embodiment of this type a particularly high ease of cleaning is provided by the one-piece design, since the additional formation of gaps is avoided. Furthermore, this embodiment satisfies a particularly high demand on the assurance of long-term safety, since an unintentional detachment of the closure means is reliably avoided.

In accordance with a third variant of the present invention the closure means is formed by one of the panels of the front. A variant of this type can be provided without additional component parts and thus promotes an efficient manufacture and assembly of the front.

In accordance with a fourth variant of the present invention the closure means is formed by a side cheek of one of the modules of the row of units or by an add-on part that is to be secured to one of the modules of the row of units. The formation of the closure means by the side cheek of the module can also be provided without additional component parts and thus promotes an efficient manufacture and assembly of the front. The formation of the closure means by an add-on part that is secured to one of the modules of the row of units also allows a use of fronts designed in accordance with the old principle.

When forming the closure means over a majority of the side height, preferably over the entire side height of the furniture module, for example, with use of the side cheek as closure means, it is ensured that a shearing or pinching is also avoided when drawers or cupboard doors are open. The side cheek prevents the direct access to a groove or an opening on the adjacent furniture module, and there is generally sufficient space between two adjacent, open drawers to avoid pinching.

In order to avoid undesired movements beyond this, and therefore to eliminate shearing or pinching and produce operational safety, it is furthermore possible to equip drawers, cupboard doors or the like with contact switches in order to release the movement function so that no open drawers or cupboard doors can lead to injuries in the case of unit movement. The remaining grooves are then additionally secured by closure means according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details of the invention will be described in the drawing on the basis of schematically illustrated exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a detail of a row of units with a front according to the prior art in two different positions in order to explain the risk posed by the conventional front;

FIGS. 3-5 show a detail of a row of units with a first variant of a front according to the invention in two different positions and a panel illustrated in isolation;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a detail of a row of units with a second variant of a front according to the invention in two different positions;

FIG. 8 shows a detail of a row of units with a third variant of a front according to the invention, and

FIG. 9 shows a detail of a row of units with a fourth variant of a front according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a row of units 1 with a front 2 designed in accordance with the prior art in a first position I-2 and in a second position II-2 in order to explain the accident risk posed by the front 2 designed in accordance with the prior art. FIG. 1 shows a detail of the row of units 1 in a perspective view. The row of units 1 comprises the front 2, a work surface 3, a right body 4 and a left body 5. The front 2 comprises a right panel 6 and a left panel 7. The work surface 3 comprises a right partial surface 8 and a left partial surface 9. A right module MR of the row of kitchen units 1 here comprises the body 4, the panel 6 and the partial surface 8. A left module ML of the row of kitchen units 1 here comprises the body 5, the panel 7 and the partial surface 9. In FIG. 1 the front 2 or the row of units 1 is in the first position I-2. The front 2 comprises two grooves 10 and 11, which are formed by a right grip strip 12 and a left grip strip 13 and form a horizontally running channel 14. In the first position I-2 of the front 2 the panels 6 and 7 are each in closed positions, as is given for example with a closed drawer or a closed door. A transition region 15, which is indicated by a dashed line and which is provided in the channel 14 at the grooves 10 and 11 adjoining one another, represents a danger zone for a finger (not illustrated) of a user, which zone then poses a danger when for example the left module ML is moved downwards in an arrow direction y′ relative to the right module MR together with the panel 7 connected thereto, for example, via a drawer, as is illustrated in FIG. 2 with the position II-2 after a displacement path of 2 cm. The channel 14, with increasing displacement path, loses its consistency, and a misalignment 16 is formed in the channel 14 or between the grooves 10 and 11, by means of which misalignment an acute risk of crushing or risk of shearing is posed to the finger in the transition region 15.

FIGS. 3 and 5 show a row of units 101 with a first variant of a front 102 designed in accordance with the invention in a first position I-102 and in a second position II-102. In addition, a plate 117 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 is shown in FIG. 4 in an enlarged manner in a perspective individual illustration. FIG. 3 shows a detail of the row of units 101 in a perspective view. The row of units 101 comprises the front 102, a work surface 103, a right body 104 and a left body 105. The front 102 comprises a right panel 106 and a left panel 107. The work surface 103 comprises a right partial surface 108 and a left partial surface 109. A right module MR of the row of kitchen units 101 here comprises the body 104, the panel 106 and the partial surface 108. A left module ML of the row of kitchen units 101 here comprises the body 105, the panel 107 and the partial surface 109. In FIG. 3, the front 102 or the row of units 101 is in the first position I-102. The front 102 comprises two grooves 110 and 111, which are formed as a right grip strip 112 and left grip strip 113 and form a horizontally running channel 114. In the first position I-102 of the front 102 the panels 106 and 107 are each in closed positions, as are given for example with a closed drawer or a closed door. The risk for a finger (not illustrated) of a user posed by a transition region 115, which is indicated by a dashed line and which is formed in the channel 114 at the grooves 110 and 111 adjoining one another, is eliminated by two closure means V1-111 and V2-110. Here a right, free end RFE-111 of the left groove 111 is closed by the closure means V1-111, and here a left, free end LFE-110 of the right groove 110 is closed by the closure means V2-110. Furthermore, a right, free end RFE-110 of the right groove 110 is also closed by a further closure means V1-110. Compared with the situation provided with use of a front according to the prior art, as was explained in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transition region 115 thus no longer poses a danger zone for the finger of a user, which zone then poses a risk when, for example, the left module ML with the left body 105 moves downwards in an arrow direction y′ relative to the right module MR with right body 104 together with the panel 107 connected thereto, for example, via a drawer, as is illustrated in FIG. 5 with the position II-102 after a displacement path of 2 cm. A consistency of the channel 114 is absent already in the position I-102, such that a misalignment 116 between the grooves 110 and 111 provided when the left module ML is moved also does not pose a danger to the finger of the user. In FIG. 4, the closure means V1-110 is illustrated by way of example. The closure means V1-110 is formed, similarly to the other closure means shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, as a plate 117, which is clamped in the groove or grip strip or is bonded thereto or is connected thereto with the aid of at least one securing means (not illustrated) and in particular is screwed or pinned thereto. In accordance with the invention, also only one closure means may be arranged in the transition region 115. This can be selectively the closure means V1-111 or the closure means V2-110.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a row of units 201 with a second variant of a front 202 designed in accordance with the invention in a first position I-202 and in a second position II-202. FIG. 6 shows a detail of the row of units 201 in a perspective view. The row of units 201 comprises the front 202, a work surface 203, a right body 204 and a left body 205. The front 202 comprises a right panel 206 and a left panel 207. The work surface 203 comprises a right partial surface 208 and a left partial surface 209. A right module MR of the row of kitchen units 201 here comprises the body 204, the panel 206 and the partial surface 208. A left module ML of the row of kitchen units 201 here comprises the body 205, the panel 207 and the partial surface 209. In FIG. 6, the front 202 or the row of units 201 is in the first position I-202. The front 202 comprises two grooves 210 and 211, which themselves are formed by the panels 206 and 207 as right grip strip 212 and left grip strip 213 and form a horizontally running channel 214. In the first position I-202 of the front 202 the panels 206 and 207 are each in closed positions, as are given for example with a closed drawer or a closed door. The risk for a finger (not illustrated) of a user posed by a transition region 215, which is indicated by a dashed line and which is formed in the channel 214 at the grooves 210 and 211 adjoining one another, is eliminated by two closure means V1-211 and V2-210. Here a right, free end RFE-211 of the left groove 211 is closed by the closure means V1-211, and here a left, free end LFE-210 of the right groove 210 is closed by the closure means V2-110. The closure means V2-210 and V1-211 are formed by a left side cheek W2-204 of the right body 204 and by a right side cheek W1-205 of the left body 205. Compared with the situation provided with use of a front according to the prior art, as was explained in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transition region 215 thus no longer poses a danger zone for the finger of a user, which zone then poses a risk when, for example, the left module ML with the left body 205 moves downwards in an arrow direction y′ relative to the right module MR with right body 204 together with the panel 207 connected thereto, for example, via a drawer, as is illustrated in FIG. 7 with the position II-202 after a displacement path of 2 cm. A consistency of the channel 214 is absent already in the position I-202, such that a misalignment 216 between the grooves 210 and 211 provided when the left module ML is moved also does not pose a danger to the finger of the user. In accordance with the invention, also only one closure means may be arranged in the transition region 215. This can be selectively the closure means V1-211 or the closure means V2-210.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of row of units 301 with a third variant of a front 302 designed in accordance with the invention in a first position I-302. The detail shows only a left module ML, which comprises a body 305, a panel 307 and a partial surface 309. The front 302 comprises a panel 307, which with a grip strip 313 forms a groove 311.

Closure means V1-311 and V2-311 of the groove 311 are formed here by the panel 307. The panel 307 is designed such that the grip strip 313 at free ends RFE-311 and LFE-311 of the groove 311 formed thereby is closed by the panel 307. This embodiment again results in the passive pinch or crush or shear protection described with regard to the preceding variants with a front that has adjacently arranged panels that can be displaced relative to one another vertically with the modules.

FIG. 9 shows a detail of a row of units 401 with a fourth variant of a front 402 designed in accordance with the invention in a first position I-402. The detail shows only a left module ML, which comprises a body 405, a panel 407 and a partial surface 409. The front 402 comprises a panel 407, which with a grip strip 413 forms a groove 411.

Closure means V1-411 and V2-411 are formed here by the grip strip 413. The grip strip 413 is designed such that the grip strip 413 at free ends RFE-411 and LFE-411 of the groove 411 formed thereby is closed. The grip strip 413 thus has a peripheral edge R411 surrounding the groove 411. This embodiment again results in the passive pinch or crush or shear protection described with regard to the preceding variants with a front that has adjacently arranged panels that can be displaced relative to one another vertically with the modules.

In accordance with the invention, in particular, at least one panel is formed as a decorative panel, which is fixed rigidly to the body, and/or in particular at least one panel is formed as a drawer panel, which together with a drawer box guided on the body is movable relative to the body, and/or in particular at least one panel is formed as a door, which is connected via a movement mechanism to the body and is movable relative to the body in accordance with a kinematics predefined by the movement mechanism.

The invention is not limited to illustrated or described exemplary embodiments. Rather, it comprises developments of the invention within the scope of the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 row of units -   2 front -   3 work surface -   4 right body -   5 left body -   6 right panel -   7 left panel -   8 right partial surface -   9 left partial surface -   10 right groove -   11 left grooves -   12 right grip strip -   13 left grip strip -   14 horizontally running channel -   15 transition region -   16 misalignment -   I-2 first position of 2 -   II-2 second position of 2 -   101 row of units -   102 front -   103 work surface -   104 right body -   105 left body -   106 right panel -   107 left panel -   108 right partial surface -   109 left partial surface -   110 right groove -   111 left grooves -   112 right grip strip -   113 left grip strip -   114 horizontally running channel -   115 transition region -   116 misalignment -   117 plate -   I-102 first position of 102 -   II-102 second position of 102 -   V1-111 closure means -   V1-110 closure means -   V2-110 closure means -   RFE-110 free end of 110 -   LFE-110 free end of 110 -   RFE-111 free end of 111 -   201 row of units -   202 front -   203 work surface -   204 right body -   205 left body -   206 right panel -   207 left panel -   208 right partial surface -   209 left partial surface -   210 right groove -   211 left grooves -   212 right grip strip -   213 left grip strip -   214 horizontally running channel -   215 transition region -   216 misalignment -   217 plate -   I-202 first position of 202 -   II-202 second position of 202 -   VI-211 closure means -   V2-210 closure means -   RFE-210 free end of 210 -   LFE-210 free end of 210 -   W2-204 side cheek -   W1-205 side cheek -   301 row of units -   302 front -   305 body -   307 panel -   309 partial surface -   311 groove -   313 grip strip -   I-302 first position of 302 -   LFE-311 free end of 311 -   RFE-311 free ends of 311 -   V1-311 closure means -   V2-311 closure means -   401 row of units -   402 front -   405 body -   407 panel -   409 partial surface -   411 groove -   413 grip strip -   I-402 first position of 402 -   LFE-411 free end of 411 -   RFE-411 free ends of 411 -   R411 edge around 411 -   V1-411 closure means -   V2-411 closure means -   MR right module -   ML left module -   y′ arrow direction 

1. A front of a row of units comprising at least two grooves, the grooves being formed as grip strips or as design joints, the row of units comprising adjacently arranged modules, each module comprising a body and at least one panel, the panels forming the front and comprising the grooves, grooves of horizontally adjacent panels in a first position of the front being arranged in succession substantially without misalignment and forming a horizontally extending channel, wherein these grooves assume, in a second position of the front provided by means of a vertical displacement of a module of the row of units in the orientation with respect to each other, a vertical misalignment, by means of which the horizontally running channel is interrupted at least in part, the front comprising at least one closure means, and at least one of the grooves being closed by the closure means with respect to the subsequent adjacent groove on a free end, in such a way that the channel cannot continue into the adjacent groove.
 2. The front as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure means is formed as a plate and is held in the groove with a form fit and/or a frictional fit.
 3. The front as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure means is formed in one piece with the groove.
 4. The front as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure means is formed by one of the panels of the front.
 5. The front as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure means is formed by a side cheek of one of the modules of the row of units or by an add-on part that is secured to one of the modules of the row of units.
 6. The front as claimed in claim 1, further comprising safety switches, for activation and deactivation of the switch arrangement, are formed on drawers or cupboard doors.
 7. The front as claimed in claim 6, wherein the safety switches are contact switches. 